Steel trap.



H. L. WHIPPS. j I

STEEL TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED 111m, 1911.

- Patentd Dec. 5, 1911.

fidivyfi.

Inventor Witnesses Atto rn eys I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY L. WHIPIPS, OF LESUEUR CENTER, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LLOYD WHIPPS, 0F LESUEUB CENTER, MINNESOTA.

STEEL TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. '5, 1911 To all whom it may concern:

Be it lmown that I, HARRY L. WHrPPs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lesueur Center, in the county ofLesueur and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful Steel Trap, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in traps, especially of the rat-trap type, although it may be readily adapted for entrapping or destroying other animals than suchas aforesaid indicated. r

The object of the invention is to provide for greatly minimizing the number of parts entering into the formation or construction of the device.

A further object is to simplify the operation of setting or adjusting the trap for use.

A still further objectof the invention is A still further object of the invention is to carryout the aforesaid ends in a simple, expeditious and effective manner..

The invention consists of certain instrume'ntalities and features substantially as hereinafter fully disclosed and defined by the claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention, wherein it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein as relates to the details of the construction and arrangement ofthe parts without departing from the spirit of the invention: Figure 1 is a plan view of the device or trap, as set. Fig. 2 .is a vertical longitudinal section thereof as produced on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 viewing in'the direction of the arrow. Fig. 3 is a transverse section takenon the line 33 of Fig. 1, viewing in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is a like section produced on the: line 1-4. of Fig. 1, viewing in the direction ofthe arrow. Fig.

5 is a broken side elevation of the device in its 1n1t1al or unset position. Fig. 6 is a de tached perspective of one of the bait platform, pivoting or suspensioning members.

.preferred type, the same being preferably of general curved outline and having their outturned ends, which are opposed to each other, suitably pivoted in preferably upbent or upstanding terminals 2 of a base or bar member 3. A suitable resilient member 4 whichmay be a strip of spring. metal of general outline as disclosed by Figs. 1 and 2, approximately of bow-like contour, the ends of which areopposed to each other, have orifices 5 toreceive one of the upbent or upstanding terminals of the base or bar member 3, upon which terminal said ends of said resilient member are adapted to have vertical movement and also to engage the jaws 1 in the usual way, as will be readily appreciated.

A bait platform 6, preferably of the general out-line as disclosed particularly by Fig. 7 although it may be of other construction, is suitably arranged intermediate. of the base or bar member 3 and the jaws, and preferably having its general trend at right angles to the longitudinal plane or axis of said base member or bar. The bait platform 6 is preferably provided with downwardly extending lateral extensions or flanges 7, one vof said extensions or flanges being itself equipped at its lower corneredges with outwardly and preferably upturned projections or lugs 8 to serve a purpose which will be apparent hereinafter.

Suitable suspending or supporting, preferably bail-like arms ormembers 9 and 10 are provided for the bait platform 6, the inner transverse portions of the bails or arms being received by, and pivoting in apertures in the lateral extensions or flanges 7 of said platform. The lateral portions or arms'proper, of the members 9 and 10, upon oneside of the platform, are adapted to be engaged by, and to be received within the curved lugs 8 of the bait-platform as seen portions of said bails or members are downwardly extended, bent deflected, or curved particularly in Fig. 3, while these lateral T gagement of the arms of the bails, upon one side of said platform, with the lugs or projections 8, which engagement of said arms with said lugs will transmit the tension or.

stress, of the jaw-actuating spring to the platform 8 during said rising movement of said platform and, when the po nts of connection of the arms with the platform have been carried by such movementto a plane above or out of horizontal alinement, with the points of connection of said arms wlth said platform, saidplatform will beheld againstreverse movement or being tr pped by such spring tension or stress. As is apparent, a locking action between the aws and the platform is thus produced forthe effective and simultaneous retention of the jaws in their open position, and the platform in the aforesaid or bait receiving position. The trap it will be seen, when in the thus described position is set and, 1n. event of the animal placing its foot or feet upon the platform, in attempting to secure the bait, which may be placed thereon, its weight will overcome the retaining action of the bails or members 9 and 10, the latter pivoting or turning in their connections in the platform undersuch weight and allow ing the platform .to be depressed. This depression of the platform will result, it is obvious, under the recoil action of the resilient member 4;, previously collapsed or compressed in setting the trap, in the forcible closing of the jaws and accordingly in effecting the securing of the animal be.- tween the jaws, with an effective or deadly grip. oraction, In setting or initially. actuating. the trap, this may be readily accomplished by gripping and requisitely or suitably compressing the resilient member .4, the jaws by. gravity then falling apart, and at the same time pressing upwardly with the other handupon the bait platform, from its underside, which latter pressure will raise theplatform to its elevated position as above. indicated, resulting, with, the aid of the stress or pressure synchronously delivered upon the jaws,.in effecting the setting of the trap, as is apparent.

The device maybe adapted, it is evident for. entrappinganimals of other or larger character, simply by varying thedimensions thereof, in which case, however, it is designed to equip or arm the jaws with teeth, which may be readily effected, it is obvious.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying illustration or drawing, it is considered that the advantages and benefits of my invention have been made fully apparent, it being characterized for extreme simplicity, embracing the minimum nuniber of parts, is readily actuated, or set, and is inexpensive of manufacture.

\Vhat is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described, including. pivoted resiliently stressed jaws, a bait-platform, pivoted connections between sa d jaws and said platform and means adjunctive of said platform, adapted for engagement with said pivoted connection intermediate the points of attachment of the latter to said jaws and said platform, as said platform, is adjusted to elevated position.

2. A device of the character described, including pivoted resiliently stressed jaws, a bait-platform, pivoted connections between said jaws and said platform and lugs on said platform adapted for engagement with said pivoted connections, intermediate the points of attachment of the latter to said jaws and said platform, as said platform is adjusted to elevated position.

3. A device of the character described, includingpivotedresiliently stressed jaws, a bait-platform. and pivoted arms intermediate said jaws and said platform, said platform having lateral lugs thereon intermediate the points of connections between said bait platform and said jaws, adapted for engagement with said arms as said platform is. adjusted to elevated position.

LA device of the character described, comprising pivoted resiliently stressed aws, a bait platform, suspending members for said platform, including arms pivoted to said platform and having downwardly deflected portions and connected to said aws beyond said deflected portions, said platform haying lateral members engaged by said arms as the platform is moved into elevated position.

5. A device of the character described, comprising pivoted resiliently stressed jaws, a bait platform, suspending members for said platform including bail-like arms hung in said platform, and having connection with said aws, said members having their lateral portions upon one side of said platform formed with downwardly deflected portions intermediatetheir points of attachment with respect to said platform and said aws. 1 6. A, device of the character described, comprising pivoted resilient stressed jaws, a bait platform, suspending members for said platform including bail-like arms, said platform having downward extensions upon its underside, having apertures therein receiving transversely the portions of said baillike arms, said arms having their outer ends connected to said jaws, and having downwardly deflected portions intermediate of their points of connection with-said downward extensions and said jaws, said downward extensions having lateral upwardly curved lugs at their lower corner edges adapted to be engaged by the lateral por- HARRY L; WHIPPS.

Witnesses:

L. L. WHrPPs, H. A. ZIZEBARTH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

